All eyes were on the MCG Saturday as Brisbane and Geelong went head to head in this year’s AFL Grand Final.
After a competitive first half, the Lions defended their Premiership crown with a dominant second half display.
What we won’t see is where the players will head now that the siren has sounded — Premiership Medal in hand or otherwise.
From sleek modern builds to character homes, here is where some of Brisbane and Geelong’s biggest stars will spend their off season, whether it is celebrating or commiserating.
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Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale of the Brisbane Lions celebrates a heroic Grand Final win. Picture: Mark Stewart.
Two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale pulled off a heroic performance in the Grand Final, coming on as a sub and making a difference despite a recent calf injury.
He totted up 17 disposals and kicked a goal in Brisbane’s second half onslaught.
Now a back-to-back Premiership winner, the Lions’ co-captain will head home to his cosy Brisbane home over the summer.
Neale opened his doors to The Courier Mail[2] in April, revealing his “little sanctuary” in Brisbane’s inner-east.
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Lions captain Lachie Neale with wife Jules Neale and dog Harley at their Brisbane home. Picture: David Kelly.
The outdoor area at Neale’s home. Picture: Nigel Hallett
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Neale and wife Jules bought the Seven Hills home at auction for $2.43m in July 2022.
The five-bedroom property has two storeys and plenty of outdoor room for Neale’s two kids and dog, Harley, to run around.
Neale can now add another Premiership Medal to his trophy cabinet.
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Neale will be hoping to bring home more silverware this weekend. Picture: Nigel Hallett
Josh Dunkley
Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley celebrate the Lion’s back-to-back Grand Final wins. Picture: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
Dunkley played an important role in the Lions’ midfield on Grand Final day, despite playing with a Grade 3 syndesmosis injury.
A midfield monster, Dunkley has made over 200 tackles this season for the Lions.
In 2023, he tackled the property market, with varying success.
After defecting from the Bulldogs to Brisbane, Dunkley picked up a $2.265m home in Paddington[6] in December 2022, along with his netballer wife Tippah Dawn.
The two-storey home is located on one of Paddington’s most esteemed streets and includes five bedrooms.
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Inside Josh Dunkley’s Paddington home.
The backyard would be a great site for a Grand Final afterparty.
The outdoor area includes a pool, entertaining deck and a well-kept lawn.
In October 2023, Dunkley sold his Port Melbourne investment property[8] for a $50,000 loss, not long after his loss in the 2023 Grand Final.
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Bailey Smith
Bailey Smith (right) celebrates during Geelong’s AFL Second Preliminary Final win over the Hawthorn Hawks. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
A headline maker on and off the pitch, Smith couldn’t provide the spark Geelong needed on Grand Final Day.
He will head home to Geelong empty handed, but at least he will be grieving the loss in a stellar home.
In December 2024 it was revealed that he had snapped up a $4m Bellbrae home[10] in Victoria’s Surf Coast.
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Inside the home.
The outdoor area.
There is plenty of room to kick a footy on the nearly 6ha property, which also includes a mineral pool, in-ground trampoline and shed outside.
Inside, the home includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, and a study.
Surrounded by bush and just 10 minutes from Torquay Surf Beach, the home is a relaxed getaway just 30 minutes from GMHBA Stadium, Geelong’s home ground.
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Patrick Dangerfield
Dangerfield was influential in the Geelong Cats’ Preliminary Final at the MCG. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
Despite inspiring Geelong to this year’s Grand Final, Patrick Dangerfield was kept quiet on the day, with just 10 disposals and zero score involvements.
The Cats captain does things his own way on and off the field, as exemplified by his hands-on involvement in the designing of his megapad on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Danger and wife Mardi first picked up the Moggs Creek property[13] for about $2m in 2016, before lodging a planning permit application to build a $1.2m residence in 2018.
Patrick Dangerfield’s ‘Danger Build’ in Moggs Creek, Victoria. Picture: @dangers_build on Instagram.
Patrick Dangerfield and wife Marni at their home. Picture: @dangers_build on Instagram.
The former Brownlow medallist documented the construction of “Danger’s build” on Instagram, with the project concluding at the end of 2021.
Its facade is sleek and modern, with huge windows maximising natural light.
A standout feature is an outdoor spiral staircase which leads you to a rooftop lookout, where you can take in the coastline along the Great Ocean Rd.
An eight-time all-Australian, Dangerfield will look to be the architect for Geelong’s success next season.
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References
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.couriermail.com.au (www.couriermail.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ Slick homes of State of Origin’s biggest stars (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.dailytelegraph.com.au (www.dailytelegraph.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.realcommercial.com.au (www.realcommercial.com.au)
- ^ www.dailytelegraph.com.au (www.dailytelegraph.com.au)
- ^ www.realestate.com.au (www.realestate.com.au)
- ^ www.dailytelegraph.com.au (www.dailytelegraph.com.au)